________________
Bio-Data on GUALDEV SHREE CHITRABHANU Page 2
Gurudev spends Spring, Summer and part of Fall in the United States and Canada, and the rest of the year in other countries He is presently the spiritual adviser to the Jain Meditation International Center in New York City, and to other meditation centers in North America, Africa and India, including the Jain International Meditation Center in Bombay.
Through his actions and words, Gurudev seeks to fuse East and West, meditation and action, love and knowledge, philosphy and life. Well-known among his books are The Dynamics of Jain Meditation, The Psychology of Enlightenment, Twelve Facets of Reality (all three published by Dodd, Mead), and Philosphy of Soul and Matter, to name a few. The Twelve Facets book reveals the inherent quality of human consciousness and the ever-changing elements of existence, as originally taught only to aspirants in India.
As a teacher, Gurudev is an example to his students. His presence is an affirmation of oneness with all life, joy, creativity, love, wisdom, action and light. Furthermore, he encourages students "to become strong enough in body, mind and soul to take charge of their own spiritual journey." He motivates students out of inertia and complacency, and encourages them to seek the highest and best in themselves. He inspires them to use their energies for selfrealization and for the benefit of all. The New York Times in 1973 wrote, "Chitrabhanu Firmly believes that basically all humans are good and that all religions are the same in their ultimate goals. He is no evangelist seeking to convert followers to Jainism."
While meditating on the ocean shore of San Diego in 1981, he experienced the pinnacle of enlightened consciousness which led to a transformation of the self to live uninterruptedly in the presence of his Divine Self and which in turn is enhancing his present global mission of Reverence For All Life.
Jain Education Intemational
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
